Australia Vacations, Tours, Travel Packages & Experiences
Before setting off on an Austrlalia vacation, learn something about its background and history. Is it an island or a continent? Australia is the sixth largest landmass in the world which explains in some ways the reasons why it is so diverse. There are 6 states and 2 territories, all offering a wide range of attractions and landscapes to entice the visitor. Consider the different terrains – tropical rainforests, red desert, coral reefs, snow-clad mountains, wetlands, winelands, national parks, bushland and so much more. On top of these are a number of cities with plentiful culture to compete with any other destination.
And bear in mind, Australia was once a penal colony – perhaps it was the convicts who gave the Aussies their unique humour! Australia’s nickname is “Oz” which dates back to the early 20th Century.
To list the reasons for taking an Australia vacation, it is necessary to include the beaches, nature and wildlife (think of the indigenous animals that exist there such as the Kangaroo, the Koala, the Wallaby, the Wombat and the Tasmanian Devil plus the Kookaburra and Emu birds), availability of numerous sporting activities including surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling, food and wine (some of the world’s best wines are to be found here), adventure activities and cultural pursuits.
It may be an island but it could be difficult to decide on where to go and how long to stay in order to experience the true Australia. Most trips to Australia will probably start in Sydney, the country’s largest city known as “The Harbour City” due to it being mainly built around Sydney Harbour. It has been recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful metropolises. Probably the two most iconic and outstanding and dominating landmarks are the huge Sydney Harbour Bridge (also known as the “Coat Hanger”) and the Sydney Opera House with its sail shaped structural design.
Sydney is situated on miles of ocean coastline and has a number of sandy surf beaches within easy reach of the centre. Some of the best known are Bondi Beach and Manly Beach and a visit to them should be included in your Australia vacation. A very popular activity is to take a harbour cruise which takes in not only the skyline of Sydney but also the attractive nearby suburbs spread out around the harbour. The city boasts several very beautiful and scenic parks such as The Domain which contains both the interesting Royal Botanical Gardens but also the resplendent Government House. Nearby are the National Art gallery of New South Wales, the Museum of Sydney and the Australian Museum. Interesting neighbourhoods to stroll around are The Rocks with its Art Deco buildings and Paddington with its grand Victorian homes and its lively café and restaurant scene,
Worth a visit from Sydney are the Blue Mountains 2 hours from the city. They offer remarkable scenery and are a UNESCO world heritage site. The unique formations of dramatic scenery encompass steep cliffs, eucalyptus forests, waterfalls and small villages. The mountains include the Three Sisters, awe-inspiring pinnacled peaks. There are 140 kilometres/75 miles of walking trails as well as a cable railway which is purported to be the steepest anywhere. Should one wish to spend time here, the best place would be Katoomba, a small town offering arty boutique shops. Another region not too far away from Sydney is the Hunter Valley, a wine producing region with over 120 wineries. The Hunter Valley Gardens here has 25 acres of colourful flowers.
Melbourne, Sydney’s “rival”, is a sophisticated metropolis and should be included on all Australia vacations. It is the most European of Australia’s cities and is its cultural capital. Its unique character includes its streetcars and its Victorian era architecture. Melbourne offers excellent shopping and cultural sites such as art galleries and museums. It has colourful neighbourhoods such as Fitzroy and St. Kilda, the latter a beach resort as well as a trendy suburb. Side trips from Melbourne can be to Phillip Island to watch the Penguin activity at sunset and the scenic Great Ocean Road including the unique rock formation of the Twelve Apostles.
Adelaide is an easy going, relaxed and garden-like city, home to the biannual Arts Festival and is a wonderful centre from which to visit the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine districts, Kangaroo Island with its abundance of wildlife and Cleland Conservation Park where you can get up close to many of the country’s indigenous animals.
Canberra, the serene unhurried and purpose-built and planned capital, is located around the attractive artificial Lake Burley Griffin. Some of the major landmarks are the old Parliament House, the traditionally designed Parliament Building and the Australian War Memorial. Canberra has a several interesting art galleries and museums.
Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city and is known as the “City of Sunny Days” due to its sub-tropical climate. The Brisbane River dissects the city and adds to the charm and character. A major attraction is the nearby Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s largest.
Not far from Brisbane are two excellent beach resort destinations. The Gold Coast with its 30 beaches including the best known, Surfers Paradise, is also close to a hinterland offering scenic national parks, mountains, waterfalls and rainforest. The Sunshine Coast has 70 kilometres/ 44 miles of uncrowded white sand beaches and lush green scenery to attract the visitor.
Perth, although off the beaten track and not included as part of many trips to Australia, it is actually Australia’s fourth largest city. It is not only laid-back quiet and safe, it is culturally diverse with attractive uncrowded beaches, gardens and a good zoo. King’s Park is a landmark and is larger than Central Park and encompasses an excellent botanical gardens. From Perth, one can visit the winelands of Western Australia in the Swan Valley and at Margaret River.
Darwin, in the north of the country is small yet cosmopolitan mainly due to the mix of different ethnic cultures which one finds here. It is handy for a visit to both the Charles Darwin National Park, one of Australia’s largest wetlands and the Kakadu National Park, the country’s largest national park with its crocodiles, unique birdlife and the largest collection of Aboriginal rock art. Try a short boat cruise there to see everything.
Cairns in Northern Queensland is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and in our view is a must inclusion in all Australia tours. Mainly a tourist centre, it is surrounded by rainforest and a must here is to take the scenic rail trip to the Kuranda Rainforest.
The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world and 2300 kilometres/1400 miles in length with a colourful underwater kingdom contains1500 species of tropical fish alone. It is the largest coral reef formation in the world offering a spectacular array of marine life. It is no wonder that it is a scuba diver’s paradise as well as one for snorkelers. An important part of the Great Barrier Reef is the Whitsundays group of islands which include Hayman, Hamilton and Whitehaven Islands and consists of 74 different islands. An excellent way to get to know the Great Barrier Reef is to take a short cruise.
The Outback is actually a vast area which comprises most of Australia and which is made up of either semi-arid or desert land. It is not an exact location. One of the best known towns is Alice Springs, and its the perfect place to explore the Australian Outback, which is also know as the “Red Centre”. It is also the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Activities here can include camel rides from one of the many camel farms, stargazing as the town exists under amazingly clear skies and hot air ballooning. One can visit the nearby King’s Canyon and the MacDonnell Range of mountains. 450 kilometres/270 miles away is Ayers Rock, the huge sandstone monolith which stands out starkly in the surrounding desert. It is one of Australia's iconic sites and one that should be part of any Australian tours. This UNESCO world heritage site is 348 metres/1142 feet in height. To the Aboriginals, it is a sacred site of spiritual significance. One can climb the rock but this is not highly recommended any more as it is a hazardous undertaking and frowned upon by the Aboriginal community. Ayers Rock is also known by its aboriginal name, Uluru. One of the interesting features of the rock is the changes in colour as the day progresses.
Tasmania is an amazingly scenic destination with many rugged mountain and wilderness areas and although it is not often included in tours of Australia, it should be. It is in fact, the most mountainous state in Australia. One can experience jagged peaks and dense forests plus pristine lakes all at the same time. The capital, Hobart is a pretty city with a vibrant waterfront and harbour built on reclaimed land. It is also associated historically with the convict era as depicted at the Port Arthur Historical site, an ex convict prison.
There is so much more to enjoy and experience in this magical land. Like most trips to Australia the biggest decision is choosing where to visit in the time available. Our Best Time to Visit Australia page will also help you decide when to travel to Australia.
"Globetrotting with Goway" blog articles
For some additional reading, the following articles are from our blog “Globetrotting with Goway”….. a great source of information for those people who are, or who want to be, world travellers!
10 Must Do Experiences on an Australia Vacation
Visting the Icons of OZ on An Australia Vacation (Part 1)
Visiting the Icons of OZ on An Australia Vacation (Part 2)
Take Your Second Australia Vacation Off the Beaten Path
Give Your Australia Vacation a Lift in the World's Most Liveable City - Melbourne
When is the Best Time to Visit Australia?
Discover the WOW Factor of South Australia
5 Wacky (and Free) Things to Do on Your Australia Vacation
Australia's Iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Opera House - Australia's Architectural Wonder
Plan Your Perfect Australia Escape
Enjoy Cruising in Australia and the South Pacific
Top 10 Things to Do in Melbourne, Australia
Absolute Must-Dos in Australia and New Zealand to Make the Perfect Holiday of a Lifetime
Top 5 Places to Visit in Australia This Summer
Top 10 Things to Do in Sydney, Australia
Swimming With the Fishes in Australia
7 Great Reasons to Take Your Kids to Australia This Summer
2 Myths About Travel to Australia
World's Best Family Destinations
Australia Vacation Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy to navigate travel information section dedicated to Australia vacations.
Learn about the history and culture of Australia, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Australia's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Australia for yourself. Start exploring...book one of our Australia tours today!
Extend Your Stay
Consider an additional stopover to your Australia vacation at one of Goway's South Pacific destinations. You can choose from our selection of New Zealand vacation packages, Tahiti vacation packages or stay at one of our featured Fiji resorts or perhaps take a Cook Island vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from Australia.
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Melbourne & Sydney with Virgin Australia
An ideal short Australia vacation for independent Globetrotters and urban explorers, this air-inclusive Australia trip focuses on Melbourne and Sydney, showcasing Australia at its most cosmopolitan.- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,049
- Trip Type:
- Air & Land Inclusive Getaways
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Melbourne, Great Barrier Reef & Sydney with Virgin Australia
Explore the iconic cities and landscapes of eastern Australia with Virgin Australia. Get a feel for the “World’s Most Livable City” in Melbourne before jetting up to the Great Barrier Reef in northern Cairns and closing out your tour with a yacht cruise on the harbour in Sydney.- Duration:
- 15 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,799
- Trip Type:
- Air & Land Inclusive Getaways
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Sydney & Great Barrier Reef with Virgin Australia
Explore Australia’s largest city and the world’s largest coral reef with Virgin Australia. Cruise Sydney Harbour aboard a luxury yacht before heading north to Cairns to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and explore the surrounding rainforest.- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,349
- Trip Type:
- Air & Land Inclusive Getaways
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Classic Australia 12 Day
Experience the best that Australia has to offer from Sydney’s Opera House to spectacular Ayers Rock. Swim in the Great Barrier Reef and learn about the traditional Aboriginal “Dreamtime”.- Duration:
- 12 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,361
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Classic Australia 15 Day
Enjoy Australia’s most famous sites from Sydney’s Opera House to an Aboriginal “Dreamtime” walk in Kuranda with stops at the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock and Darwin in between.- Duration:
- 15 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,092
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Waltzing Matilda: Holiday of a Lifetime
Our fully escorted Waltzing Matilda tour is very different to the other programmes we offer to Australia and the South Pacific. It is one of Goway's specifically designated escorted HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME that carry a promise of something special! Our professional Tour Director will take care of all the day to day details allowing you to enjoy the history, culture and natural beauty of each of the countries visited on this trip.- Duration:
- 20 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 8,759
- Trip Type:
- Fully Escorted Touring, Holidays of a Lifetime, Single Friendly
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Best of Australia: Holiday of a Lifetime
Experience the highlights of Australia under two weeks on our fully escorted Holidays of a Lifetime. Visit major urban centres such as Sydney with its harbour and opera house, Melbourne and Adelaide. Get into the Outback with visits to Ayers Rock and Alice springs. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.- Duration:
- 13 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 5,899
- Trip Type:
- Fully Escorted Touring, Holidays of a Lifetime, Single Friendly
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Classic Downunder from Melbourne to Auckland
Get to know the true Downunder by experiencing the best of both Australia and New Zealand. Visit Australia's iconic sites and cities before commencing a journey through New Zealand’s incredible islands.- Duration:
- 19 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,625
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Classic Downunder: Auckland to Melbourne
Get to know the true Downunder by experiencing the best of both Australia and New Zealand. Journey through New Zealand’s incredible islands before embarking on a tour of Australia.- Duration:
- 19 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,581
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Classic Golden Triangle
Visit the Classic Golden Triangle of Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney. See the penguins of Phillip Island, swim in the Great Barrier Reef then get to know the historic side of Sydney.- Duration:
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,491
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Classic South Australia
Get to know Adelaide, then embark on a cruise along the Murray River. See a host of Australian wildlife, learn about Aboriginal culture and visit Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island.- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,637
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries, Independent Travel Modules
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Classic South Pacific
Enjoy the Classic South Pacific by encountering Fijian, Maori and Aboriginal cultures. Travel from Fiji to New Zealand to Australia taking in fantastic sights and experiences on route.- Duration:
- 14 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,645
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Classic Sydney, Rock & Reef
Venture to three of Australia’s most famous spots. Get to know Sydney before catching the sun set over Uluru (Ayers Rock). Then explore Cairns and the incredible Great Barrier Reef.- Duration:
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,365
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Classic Victoria
Explore classic Victoria by first experiencing the highlights of Melbourne. Visit Philip Island and see the Little Penguin Parade before heading along the incredible Great Ocean Road.- Duration:
- 5 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 970
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Highlights & Wildlife
Experience the historic side of Sydney before exploring the wildlife of Kangaroo Island. Visit Australia’s world renowned wineries followed by stops at Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.- Duration:
- 12 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,600
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Southern Explorer (Australia)
Take in Sydney’s sights before venturing to the spectacular Blue Mountains. Drive from Hobart to the Cradle Mountains, and then get to know the Phillip Island penguins and Melbourne.- Duration:
- 12 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,198
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Three Capitals Classic
Take the opportunity to experience three of Australia’s capital cities. See the sights of Sydney before heading to Canberra, the national capital, then visit the highlights of Melbourne.- Duration:
- 7 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,466
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries
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Trans Continental Classic
Travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean (or vice versa). Visit Sydney and Canberra, spend time aboard the ‘Indian Pacific’ train, and explore Adelaide and Kangaroo Island.- Duration:
- 12 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 3,741
- Trip Type:
- Classic Itineraries, Rail Travel Ideas
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13 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Auckland
Cruise around the highlights of southeast Australia and northern New Zealand. Ride across Sydney’s iconic harbor, see penguins swim ashore outside Burnie, Tasmania and climb the Sky Tower to see the twin harbours of Auckland, New Zealand.- Duration:
- 13 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,039
- Trip Type:
- Cruises & Sailing
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13 Day Australia & Tasmania Cruise: Sydney to Sydney
Embark on an Australian cruise to explore fascinating cityscapes and wildlife Downunder. Start in Sydney to tour the unforgettable harbour, spend an overnight in Melbourne to take in its cultural revival, spot all manner of seals, dolphins and kangaroos on Kangaroo Island, and venture to Burnie in Tasmania to spot penguins and marvel at one-of-a-kind handicrafts at the Makers’ Workshop.- Duration:
- 13 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,970
- Trip Type:
- Cruises & Sailing
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16 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Sydney
Embark on an epic cruise exploring Australia’s two largest cities and the breathtaking ports of New Zealand’s North Island. Take in the sights of the cosmopolitan centres of Sydney and Melbourne before crossing the ocean to Tasmania and New Zealand to visit the filming locations of The Lord of the Rings, learn about Maori culture, and explore the varied landscapes of this enchanting island nation.- Duration:
- 16 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,310
- Trip Type:
- Cruises & Sailing
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17 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Sydney
Explore key cities in Australia and New Zealand on two-week voyage of discovery and delight. Your first port of call is cosmopolitan Melbourne, explore the hidden lanes and arcades or head out of the city and visit some wildlife. Cruise the spectacular Milford Sound IN New Zealand and visit the “Edinburgh of the South” – Dunedin, also home to a colony of Albatross. Save some time in Wellington to visit where parts of The Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed. Don't miss the boiling pools and shooting geysers at Rotorua. And see firsthand why Auckland is nirvana for nature lovers, with its serene beaches, verdant landscapes and stunning coastal trails.- Duration:
- 17 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,310
- Trip Type:
- Cruises & Sailing
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19 Day Australia & New Zealand Cruise: Sydney to Sydney
Embark on an Australian cruise to visit two major Australian cities and the highlights of New Zealand’s east coast. Begin in the cosmopolitan cities of Sydney and Melbourne before heading across the ocean to cruise Milford Sound, tour the wine regions of Marlborough and Napier, and explore the diverse capitals of Wellington and Auckland.- Duration:
- 19 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,589
- Trip Type:
- Cruises & Sailing
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3 Day 4WD Dragonfly Dreaming Top End Safari
The average Australia vacation rarely gives the Northern Territory the attention it deserves. Get a real taste of the Australian Outback on this short round-trip adventure from Darwin.- Duration:
- 3 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 490
- Trip Type:
- Active & Adventurous, Locally Escorted Tours, Small Group Tours
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4WD Eco Adventure Hotel Safari
Starting and finishing in Alice Springs, this 4WD Eco Adventure Hotel Safari is a perfect option for those seeking adventure but who prefer the comforts of hotel accommodation. Take an opportunity to enjoy the Red Centre in comfort.- Duration:
- 3 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 2,432
- Trip Type:
- Active & Adventurous
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